SIKH SCHOOL

2012

Sikhism is a religion founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region.
Sikhs name five vices: lust, anger, greed, submission to another’s will, selfishness, and five virtues: honesty, compassion, moderation, humility, love. Sikhs make up about 60% of the population of the state of Punjab and about 2% of the population of India.
I shot this series when I was a school photography teacher in Patiala. The subject of my research was the study of traditions and compliance with religious dogmas in modern conditions.
Pupils of this school have a mandatory uniform, except for preschool children. All children are required to pray before lessons: lining up in rows, they repeat sacred words and sing religious songs, and portraits of Sikh gurus hang in school classrooms. For disobedience, physical punishments are applied to children, teachers can give a child a slap in the face or a slap on the head. For a fault, the student is placed with his back to the class, and he must stand with his hands up for some time.

Morning assembly and communal prayer outside the school.
Morning assembly and communal prayer outside the school.
Teachers encourage children to think for themselves.
Teachers encourage children to think for themselves.
A preschool teacher maintains discipline.
A preschool teacher maintains discipline.
A religious celebration at school.
A religious celebration at school.
Activities at the school camp.
Activities at the school camp.
Lessons in an unfinished building without electricity, next to construction debris.
Lessons in an unfinished building without electricity, next to construction debris.
A religious celebration at which every pupil must bow before the holy book.
A religious celebration at which every pupil must bow before the holy book.
A pupil has been sent out of the classroom.
A pupil has been sent out of the classroom.
A teacher rests between lessons.
A teacher rests between lessons.
At break time, children run to the swings.
At break time, children run to the swings.
The schoolyard.
The schoolyard.
A PE lesson.
A PE lesson.
The school fountain.
The school fountain.
Sitting on the floor, the children eat lunches prepared by their parents.
Sitting on the floor, the children eat lunches prepared by their parents.
Nap time.
Nap time.
A child at the school entrance.
A child at the school entrance.
While the teacher is distracted, some pupils try to copy answers during a test.
While the teacher is distracted, some pupils try to copy answers during a test.
Punishment for disobedience.
Punishment for disobedience.
Morning prayer.
Morning prayer.
Schoolgirls play in the chemistry lab.
Schoolgirls play in the chemistry lab.
A girl sleeps on the school bus on her way home.
A girl sleeps on the school bus on her way home.